San Antonio Spurs Rumors: Will J.R. Smith Take His Talents to San Antonio?

Conventional wisdom and word on the street suggest that J.R. Smith may wind up with the New York Knicks when he's eligible to sign with an NBA team again. The recent injury to Chauncey Billups may make the Los Angeles Clippers an equally compelling destination.

However, there remains some indication that the San Antonio Spurs are also interested in signing Smith.

Smith may be looking for an opportunity to start, pad his statistics and set himself up for maximum financial security. To those ends, Los Angeles and New York look like perfect fits.

In New York, Smith would find Mike D'Antoni's uptempo offense the perfect playground for displaying his nearly limitless offensive upside. He'd also become the undisputed third option behind Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

In Los Angeles, J.R. would play in a similarly large market and a high-octane offense ripe for the highlight reels. Smith would instantly become the dynamic scorer to complement the league's best point guard and most exciting young power forward. With Billups out for the season, Smith would have every bit the opportunity he'd find in New York.

To be sure, there are also plenty of reasons Smith is unlikely to sign with the Spurs (even if the Knicks and Clippers weren't more probable alternatives). 

San Antonio reasons to be more focused on going after a big man to take some pressure off of Tim Duncan. The potentially available Chris Kaman has recently emerged as a potential target. With a slew of young and talented wing players on the roster, lobbying for Smith's services may be a low priority for R.C. Buford.

Many fans are no doubt interested in getting a better sense of what the team has in young options like Danny Green and James Anderson. Gary Neal has already proven himself a capable sixth man who can flat out score (a J.R. Smith "lite" perhaps).

San Antonio may also be more confident that its in-house options are the kind of hardworking players who match the typical Spurs profile.

Meanwhile, there are concerns that J.R. Smith wouldn't be a great fit for a Spurs organization that cherishes attitude and work ethic over the allure of pure talent. If Smith had trouble getting along with Nuggets coach George Karl, it's hard to imagine him thriving under Greg Popovich's strict team concept. Smith's off-the-court conduct has also landed the young guard in trouble.

Nevertheless, this isn't the first time the Spurs have attempted to acquire Smith. Despite his checkered history, San Antonio was willing to move the well-liked Brent Barry for Smith in a deal that missed the trade deadline by a hair.

If there's any coach who could integrate a potential headcase into his consummately professional brand of basketball, it's Gregg Popovich. This is the same man who helped a young Stephen Jackson grow into a reliable starter in this league.

Acquiring Smith would also afford the Spurs more flexibility in their pursuit of another center or power forward. As much as it would pain fans to see Danny Green, James Anderson or Gary Neal shipped out, some of that young talent may be key to putting an attractive trade package together.

Richard Jefferson might also become a crucial trade piece. His $9 million salary would be instrumental in getting a deal done for the likes of Chris Kaman. Acquiring J.R. Smith would give the Spurs another option to replace Jefferson on the wing, and it would ensure that San Antonio retains a dangerous three-point threat.

Despite the apparent high risk, this move would be worth the gamble. Smith's upside and athletic ability rarely becomes available, especially as rentals for a championship run. Whether or not Smith sees the Spurs as his best opportunity is another question.

He would be wise to give San Antonio a second look. The team has recorded a 14-7 record without Ginobili this season, and Manu's imminent return leaves San Antonio poised to contend. 

Beyond the prospects for short-term success, a campaign with the Spurs could do a lot for Smith's long-term value as well. He'd be forced to cultivate his defense, and there's little doubt San Antonio's coaching staff and veteran leadership could do wonders for Smith's erratic shot selection.

Most importantly, Smith could prove that he's moved beyond the antics that have thus far overshadowed his impressive young career.

The Spurs would gain a dangerous sixth man capable of dropping 30 points on any given night. Smith would gain a reputation befitting of his exceptional skill.

Paradoxical though it may seem, this is a marriage that both sides should be proposing.